Nearly two centuries after the initial intuition, the dream of the Venerable Louis Querbes has become a living reality: a community united around two branches, one religious and the other lay. This charism, henceforth carried by the Viatorian Community, constitutes a gift of the Holy Spirit recognized by the Church and offered to men and women of all times.
The Viatorian Community is composed of religious and associates. The latter form a diversified group: men or women, single or married, as well as permanent deacons or diocesan priests. Together, our communities take on the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ and his Gospel, of accompanying young people and adults in their Christian life, and of celebrating the faith. We propose an integral formation — human, intellectual, and spiritual — while fostering dynamic faith communities.
“Go and announce the Gospel to the ends of the earth”
Starting from Vourles in France, our place of foundation, we are now present in sixteen countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Far East. This ethnic, cultural, and social diversity represents one of our greatest assets. Faced with the dual challenge of diversity and individualism, we have chosen to respond with fraternal communion.
In our capacity as educators of the faith, we work within primary schools, secondary schools, and university institutions. Our ambition is to integrate Christian values into the heart of contemporary cultural reality. In each country of commitment, we prioritize dialogue with cultures and solidarity with the peoples. Within our establishments, students, parents, teachers, and staff members form one single, large family.
The Venerable Louis Querbes had anticipated the crucial importance of training catechists and liturgists within parishes. It is for this reason that we fulfill our mission in close communion with local Churches. We collaborate in the deepening and celebration of the faith in a spirit of harmony, fostering constant dialogue with bishops and pastors.
The Venerable Louis Querbes paid particular attention to children and the poor deprived of access to education, especially Christian education. Faithful to this concern, we devote ourselves primarily to the left-behind of our time. We act concretely for peace, social justice, and international solidarity through material, human, and spiritual support.
Rediscovering an “idea dear to Father Louis Querbes,” the 1978 General Chapter brought back to life the project of “lay catechists” that the founder had not been able to realize due to historical contingencies. Since then, the Congregation opened itself to the association of people who, without taking religious vows, commit themselves to sharing its mission, its spirituality, and its community life.
The 1994 General Chapter took a further step by initiating the experience of the “Viatorian Community.” Registering itself within the movement of promotion of the laity that emerged from Vatican II, this Chapter declared that religious and associates are henceforth “heirs with full rights to the Founder’s charism and co-responsible for its development” (DC 5, 1994).
This entity has continued to structure itself, progressively equipping itself with its own organization according to the wishes of the 2000 General Chapter. In July 2006, the first International General Assembly met to draw up the Charter of the Viatorian Community. This document was approved ad experimentum by the 28th General Chapter, allowing for the deepening of the experience in progress.
In February 2011, the second General Assembly held in Bogota (Colombia) revised the Charter so that it best reflected the reality of the Community and supported fidelity to the charism. This revised version was approved and published for the entire community during the 29th General Chapter in 2012.
The third General Assembly, met in Guadarrama (Spain) in November 2016, recommended the official recognition of the Viatorian Community within the Constitution of the Congregation, while at the same time leaving religious the freedom to belong to it. It underlined the richness of the diversity of local communities while recalling the need for common perspectives to preserve unity.
In 2018, the thirtieth General Chapter wished to concretize this evolution by proposing a modification of article 5 of the Constitution. This amendment sought to officially inscribe the existence of the Viatorian Community as an entity that groups, within its fold, both religious members of the Congregation and associated lay members.
Although this draft amendment did not receive the approval of the Holy See, the latter strongly encourages Viatorians to continue this experience of sharing. A deep reflection is currently underway, with the Holy See inviting the Community to make this charism live without seeking, for the moment, to freeze it in a codified legal or legislative framework.
From October 18 to 25, 2025, the fourth General Assembly of the Viatorian Community was held in Valpré, France. After having carried out a detailed status report of the journey taken by the community, the assembly launched a prophetic call to all religious and associates. This message invites all Viatorians to anchor themselves in the Word of God to face the contemporary challenges of the Church and the world. By recognizing the baptismal equality of all its members, the community commits itself to intensifying its international dimension and to building ways of life that are truly prayerful, welcoming, and meaning-bearing.
After more than 20 years on the road, the experience of the Viatorian Community continues to flourish in this spirit of openness. All its members express their gratitude to God for this gift of the Viatorian charism, which today unites religious and secular laity in a common mission.
